Machine for applying sealing tape to wrapped articles



A ril 30, 1940. o. G. STRAUSS MACHINE FOR APPLYING SEALING TAPE TOWRAPPED ARTICLES 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 14, 1939 3 MW 0&96252701166 MACHINE FOR APPLYING SEALING TAPE T0 WRAPPED ARTICLES A ril30, 1940. o. e. STRAUSS Filed Feb. 14, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 A ril 30,1940. 0. ca. sTRAuss MACHINE FOR APPLYING SEALING TAPE T0 WRAPPEDARTICLES Filed Feb. 14, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Zjwucwvbob dial 6 1270x450. G. STRAUSS April 30, 1940.

MACHINE FOR APPLYING SEALING TAPE T0 WRAPPED ARTICLES Filed Feb. 14,1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 30, 1940- o. G. sTRAuss 2,199,033

MACHINE FOR APPLYING SEALING TAPE T0 WRAPPED ARTICLE Filed Fb; 14, 19397 Sheets-Sheet s April 30, 1940. O STRAUSS 2,199,033

MACHINE FOR APPLY lNG SEALING TAPE To WRAPPED ARTICLES Filed Feb. 14,1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 gnaw/whom flier J/ramss April 30, 1940. O G,STRAUSS 2,199,033

MACHINE FOR APPLYING SEALING TAPE To WRAPPED ARTICLES Filed Feb. 14,1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 J62 L zaa Fig. A?

15 apples and objects of similar shape.

Patented Apr. 30, 1940 UNITED STATES MACHINE FOR APPLYING SEALING TAPE'ro JWRAPPED ARTICLES l Ober G. Strauss, Orlando, Fla. I ApplicationFebruary 14, 1939, Serial No. 256,401

14 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for'applying-sealing tape toadvancing wrapped articles.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a machine forpositioning a free end of the sealing tape in advance of the movingarticle and applying samethereto, combined with means operable by saidpressing and applying means to positively draw off tape from a supplythereof for a succeeding tape-applying operation.

Still another object is the construction of a machine of the characterindicated applicable for applying sealingtape to wrapped spherical,oblate and ovate objects, such as oranges, grapefruit,

I Yet afurther aimis the provision of a machine as indicated adapted forsealing wrapped quandrangular objects such as cartons and the like.

Yet another purpose of the invention is the formation of a machine forapplying sealing tape to advancing wrapped articles whichis reliable andefficient in operation, durable and well adapted for its intended use.

The above and other aims and objects will be apparent from the-detaileddescription hereinafter appearing when taken'in conjunction with theappended drawings forming a part hereof to which reference is now madeand in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the device constituting the subjectmatter of the instant application and comprising an adhesive-applyingand pull-off unit for wrapper tape and a delivering, cutting andapplying unit for the latter in their operative relation to one another;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the unit which delivers and cuts the tapeinto strips and applies same to the wrapped fruit or similar object;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section in a plane substantially as representedby the line 33 on Fig. 6;

Fig. 4 is an opposite side elevation of the strip delivering, cuttingand applying unit shownin Fig. 2; r

Fig. 5 is a transverse section in a plane substantially as representedby the line 5-5 on Fig. 4, with certain elements omitted for the sake ofclarity; J

. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the strip delivering, cutting andapplying unit shown in Figs. 2 and 4; Fig. 7' is-a top plan view of theadhesive applicator and strip pull-off unit shown in side elevation inFig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view showing'a cooperating pair of wrapperapplying cups in operative position to a frultand also showing theinitial stage of the encircling wrapper-securing strip as applied by theimproved device forming the subject matter of this application. 1 .15

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a, modified form of the invention.-

Fig. 10 is aleft end elevation of the structure illustrated in Fig. 9with certain structure omitted for sake of clearness.- .10

Fig. 11 is an edge elevational. view of the tape cutting mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the tape cutting mechanism. i.

Fig. 13 is a side elevationalview of themeans 3. .5 for applying tape tothe rear ends of packages to be taped, showing such means in operativeposition in taping a package.

Fig. 14,isan end elevation'of the means disclosed in Fig. 13 in normalposition as indicated 20 at the right in Fig. 9.

Referring now in detail to the drawings by reference characters,andjwherein'like characters designate like parts in the various viewsand first to Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, F'designatesg5 a frame of anysuitable design for supporting the various cooperating units of thedevice. Rotatably supported adjacent one end of the frame F is a paperstrip'roll R. from which the strip is drawn in'the operation of thedevice. The .33

strip S extends continuously from the roll R, through an adhesiveapplying unit A, through the strip pull-01f unit P and thence tothestrip delivering, cutting and applying unit D. Inasmuch as the unit Dfunctions to directly deliver the strip and apply same to the wrappedfruit it is believed best to first describe in detail the constructionthereof.

-The unit D as illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive comprises anelongated base l0 mounted upon and secured to a pair of laterally spacedbars ll coextensive withsaid base. The base; i0 may be formed-from'sheetmetal and, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, has a strip guiding channel l2which is open centrally thereof as at 13 and said A5basefurther-includes oppositely disposed ledges M for a purpose laterdescribed.

Thebars 11- aresecured adjacent their rear ends to a shaft l5 rotatablyjournalled in bearings supported by the frame F,.one of said bearingsbeing indicated at IS in Fig. 6, whereby the base In together with the'bars II. are capable of swinging'movement in a vertical plane relativeto the frame 'F,the' base I0 being limited in its downwardly swungposition by-means of a Fig. 3).

stop I! adjustably mounted in the frame as illustrated in Fig. 4.

Pivotally supported on a shaft l8 carried by the bars II is a rollersupporting frame comprising a pair of laterally spaced arms l9 (only oneof which is indicated in Fig. 3) and a shaft 28 on which is rotatablymounted a strip engaging roller 2! projecting through the opening l3 andinto the strip guiding channel l2. One of the arms I9 is provided withan extension 22 to whose free end is secured one end of a spring 23, theopposite end of the spring being attached to an adjacent bar Has at 24.The arms l9 engage beneath the ledges M for limiting theupward movementof roller 2! under the action of the spring 23.

A shaft 26 is rotatably journalled in spaced extensions 25 of the base18, said shaft having a strip feeding roller 21 secured theretoforcooperation with roller 2i upon feeding rotation of roller 21. Thelatter is flattened as at 28 for a purpose which will appear later.

Rotatably journalled in the extensions 25, rearwardly of shaft 26, isanother shaft 29 to one end of which a relatively large gear 38 isfastened, said gear being in mesh with a smaller gear 3| secured to theadjacent end of shaft 28 whereby rotation of shaft 29 will impartfeeding rotation to roller 21.

A ratchet wheel 32 having four equi-angularly spaced teeth 33 is securedto the opposite end of shaft 29. Operatively engaged with the ratchetwheel 32 is an actuating pawl'34 pivotally connected at 35 to one of apair of laterally spaced angular arms 36. The pawl 34 normally engagesthe ratchet wheel 32 between two adjacent teeth thereof and, asindicated in Fig. 4, has a nose 3'! for engaging the respective teeth 33to impart clockwise rotation to the ratchet wheel 32 upon forwardmovement of the pawl34.

A rest 38 for the pawl in its retracted position and an edge guide 39are secured to the adjacent extension 25, the rest 38 being positionedfor accurate engagement of the nose 3! with an adjacent tooth 33 uponforward operative movement of the pawl.

Fastened to the pawl 34 intermediate its ends is a stop member 40 forengagement with a stop pin 4| secured in shaft 26 to limit feedingrotation of the roller 21 as well as for a purpose later described. Thepawl 34 is yieldingly maintained in ratchet wheel engaging position bymeans of a spring 42, one end of which is secured to the pawl and theother end of which is attached to one of a pair of extensions 43 on thefront ends of bars I I.

The pair of angular arms 35 are pivotally mounted on the extensions 43as indicated at 44 and one end of a spring 45 is secured to each 60.

arm as indicated at 46, the opposite ends of the spring being fastenedto the extensions 43, (see The springs 45 normally hold the arms indownward position as limited by the stops 48 and 4|.

A wrapped-fruit engaging roller 41 is rotatably supported at the freeend of each arm 36, the

rollers being preferably inwardly bevelled as indicated in Fig. 6 forapproximate conformation with the surface of the wrapped fruit. Theratchet wheel 32 is restrained against reverse rotation by means of adog 48 pivoted at 49 and yieldingly urged into engagem'ent'with therespective teeth 33 by means of a spring 58, Fig. 4.

The base I8 is provided with tape guide means 7'5- adjacent both theentering and exit ends of channel [2 and as shown in Fig. 3 thesecomprise a guide roller 5! and guide plate 52 at the entering end and anupwardly curved upper guide 53 and a lower upwardly directed guide 54cooperating with the guide 53 at the exit end.

The unit D also includes strip cutting or severing means comprising ablade 55 disposed in a transverse recess 56 adjacent the front end ofbase H3. The blade 55, as shown in Fig. 6, is flexible and has itsopposite ends apertured for the passage therethrough of bolts 55 and 51.The bolt 56' extends thru a lug 58 and has its head 59 disposed inspaced relation to the lug for movement of the corresponding end of theblade 55 toward the lug under the action of a movable blade laterdescribed. The opposite end of the blade 55 engages the bolt '51 between9. lug 88 and the movable shearing blade 5|. The bolt 5'! has its head62 in engagement with blade 6i and a coil spring 63 is disposed betweenthe lug 68 and an adjustable nut 10 for yieldingly holding the blade inshearing engagement with the laterally flexible blade 55. The movableblade Si is connected by means of articulated links 1! and 12 to a shaft13 which is rotatably journalled adjacent its front end in a bearing lugl4 and which at its rear end is engaged by the conepointed end of ascrew 15 (Figs. 2 and 4) adjustable within a lug 16. The shaft 13 isyieldingly retained in a normal angular position by means of a spring Hwith the blade 6i inoperatively dis-posed. One end of said spring isconnected to 'a sleeve 18 fixed to the shaft 13 and the other end of thespring is attached to the lower end of an angular rod 19 depending froman adjacent bar II. A shaft oscillating member is'fixed to the shaft 13as at 88 and comprises a rigid extension 8| to which is pivoted thebifurcated portion 82 of a blade 83. A spring 84 is disposed adjacentthe pivot to permit movement of the blade 83 toward the extension 8| andstop shoulders 85 are provided adjacent the pivot forrestraining'movement' of the blade relative to the extension 8| in theopposite direction.

Rotatably journalled in bearings 86 on frame F is a shaft 8'! to whoseinner end is secured 'a gear 88 in mesh with a gear 89 fixed to theshaft l5. Secured to the boss 88' of the gear 88 is one end of a rod 98whose free end is angularly disposed with relation to the body portionthereof and has rotatably mounted thereon a blade engaging roller 9!.

The unit D in operative position thereof is suspended from the frame Fas is more or less diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 1 with the rollers41 disposed in the path of advance or feeding movement of thewrappedfruit W, the

gagement with the adjustable stop ll.

It is desirable and highly advantageous that the strip S be delivered tothe unit D in a substantially slack condition'for reasons hereinafter toappear and the strip is so delivered by the pull-off unit P which pullsthe strip S from the roll- R, through the adhesive applying unit A anddelivers same in slack available condition for use by the unit D. Thepull-off unit P, in a preferred embodiment thereof, comprises oppo-'site' walls astran open-ended'casing '95. A shaft 91 is rotatably'journalled inthe walls 95, to

which shaft is secured a strip pull-off roller 98 tween the walls 95,the forward end of said frame 'having a strip pressure roller I02rotatably connect'ed'thereto which upon rotation of roller 98 engagesthe circular edge thereof for effecting a pull on. the strip S. Theframe IOI on the side of 'pivot I opposite the roller I02 is normallymaintained in engagement with -a stopfl03 by "meansof'a spring I04.Rotatably journalled in the walls 95 adjacent the shaft 91 is a secondshaft" I to one end of which, exteriorly of the adjacent wall 95 arelatively large gear I06 is secured, said gear being in mesh with asmaller g e'ar I01 'fixed'to the corresponding end of the shaft 91. p

1 A ratchetwheel I08 having four equi-angular spaced teeth ms isattached to the opposite end 'of'the'shaft I05 externally of theadjacent wall -95,'said teeth-being successively engaged by aspring-pressed dog H0 to prevent retrograde rotation of the'shaft I05.Cooperating with the ratchet wheel I08 is a pawl III which islongitudinally' movable in a guide I I2 secured to the outer face of theadjacent wall 95, said pawl III being provided intermediate its endswith a longitudinal-slot 'I I 3'through which projects a pin II4supported by the pawl-actuating lever II5 adjacent the upper endthereof. A spring H6 is provided to 'yieldingly maintain the pawl IIIagainst the upper wall of the guide II2 for'accurate engagement with theteeth I09. The pin I I4 is'yieldingly' held in the rear end of slot II3by"a-"spring II'I,' while a spring II9 holds the pa nt-actuating leverH5 in inactive position as determinedby a stop II8.

- The aforementioned lever H5 is pivotally conlever. =Upon'extremeoperating movement of the pawl III a stop I22 carried thereby engageswith a stop pin' I23 on shaft 91;

The adhesive applicator A as shown is disposed closely adjacent thepull-off unit P and comprisesa-casing I24 adapted to contain aquantity'of suitable glue or adhesive to a level suggested by the dottedline I25. The fixedcasin'gshaft I26 rotatably journals a pair oflaterally' spaced rollers I21 which are partially immersed in theadhesive.

Cooperating with the rollers I 2'1 is a single roller I28' rotatablyjournalled in a frame I29 pivotally connected with the casing at I30,the frame being yieldably urged toward the casing by a spring I3I forholding roller I28 under yielding pressure contact with the rollersI2'I'.' An upright member I32 is mounted on the frame F and supports astrip guideroller 'I33in proximity to the roller I28.

'In operation, the entire mechanism for drawing the strip S from theroll R, applying the adhesive} delivering the strip into contact withthe wrapped fruit and severing the successive fruit enveloping lengthsof' strip is brought about by contact,- of the wrapped fruit W and Wwith the rollers 41 and I2I respectively. As disclosed in the patent toO. G. Strauss, No. 2,090,559., issued August I7, 1937, the fruit to bewrapped is successively engaged by opposed wrappers w, w by means ofvacuum cups C and -C- the fruitthus wrapped is moved forwardly or to.the right'in Fig. 1. When a wrapped fruit W approaches'the stripdelivering, cutting and applying unit D the various cooperating elementsof the different units are in the position indicated in Fig. 1 with asurplus of strip S disposed between the pull-off unit P and thedelivering, cutting and applying unit D, the surplus strip preferablypassing over a guide roller I34 carried by a rod I35 which maybe'secured to the shaft I5.

As will be seen in Fig. 1, a relatively short length of strip S carryingadhesive on the margin'saof one face thereof, projects from the forwardend of the guide channel I2 of the unit D. By contact of the fruit withthe spring-pressed rollers 41 this short length of strip is firmlypressed against the edges of the opposed wrappers w; w. Thusuponrotation of the wrapped fruit W, as in the patent above referred to,"the

strip is carried about the circumference of the;

fruit-firmly uniting the edges of the opposed wrappers in the mannerindicated in Fig. 8 wherein the portion I36 of the strip issubstantially in the beginning stage as represented in the shaft I5against the resistance of the spring 93 resulting in rotation of gear88. The rotation of the latter moves the rod 90 toward the blade 83, andwhen the roller 9I carried by the rod- 90 engages the blade 83 therelatively strong spring 11 will be brought into action and the unit Dwill then'swing against the combined resistances of the springs I1 and93. The combined resistance referred to exceeds that of the springs 45and accordingly the latter will yield upon further movement of thewrapped fruit resulting in counterclockwise motion of the arms 36 abouttheir pivots 44, thereby moving the pawl 34 rear- -ward1y until theratchet wheel engaging portion thereof rests upon the seat 38. The unitD will thereafter continue to swing by contact with the forwardlymovingwrapped fruit, overcoming, the resistance of spring 11 andimparting rotation to shaft 13 by contact of the moving roller 9! withthe summed edge of the blade 83, whereupon the movable cutter BI ismoved outwardlyrelative to the adjacent bar II until the roller movesout of contact with the blade. When the roller QI passes over the blade83 the relatively strong spring 11 will quickly impart a reverserotation to the shaft I3 and due to the momentum of the rapidly movingblade 6| it will over-run its normal position and come into rapidshearing en'- gag-ement with the blade and sever the strip. The lengthof strip S between the rollers 41 and the free severed end thereof willbe applied to the wrapped fruit during the subsequent contact of therollers with the fruit. When the center-of the wrapped fruit passesbeyond the centers of the rollers, the spring 93 will quickly return theunit D-to its initial position against thestop H which is preferably ofyieldable material to cushion the impact of the unit therewith.

Upon return of the unit to its initial position roller-9| against theback or convex edge of the ,the reverse rotation of gear 88 will bringthe the nose 31 of which will engage the adjacent ratchet wheel tooth 33and move the ratchet Wheel 32 clockwise one quarter revolution, and asgears and 3I are in a 4 to 1 ratio the feed roller 21 will be rotatedone complete revolution which through the cooperation of the springpressed roller 2! will feed another length of strip "into thepositionindicated in Fig. l for a subsequent operation.

' The fruit W after having been stripped by the unit D moves forwardlyand upon engagement with the roller IZI, the lever II5 will be rockedabout its pivot I20 and after being rocked a relatively short distancethe pin II4 will engage the opposite end of slot H3 and move'the pawlIII to the left until stops I22 and I23 are in contact. When this occursthe ratchet wheel I08 will have been rotated one quarter of a revolutionwhich, due to the 4 to 1 ratio between the gears I06 and I01, willimpart a complete rotation to the pull-off roller 98 which incooperation with the spring pressed roller I02 will draw a length ofstrip from the roll R and through the adhesive applicator A forsupplying freely available strip material in advance of the unit D asindicated in Fig. 1.

ter the roller I2I has completely passed over the fruit W the spring II9will draw lever II5 back to its normal position and the spring II! willdraw pin I I4 back to the forward end of the slot I I3. By the provisionof two laterally spaced rollers I21, adhesive is applied only to theopposite margins of the strip 8 and as the roller 2I operates within theopening I3 it does not contact a glued surface. It will also be notedthat ledges I4 aid in preventing contact of the glued surface with thewall of channel I2. The flat surface 28 on the roller 21 is normally ina horizontal position'immediately above the roller 2| which providesfree and unrestricted passage of the strip through the channel I9 uponrotation of the fruit W being wrapped. The roller 2| contacts the roller21 only during feeding rotation of the latter.

The roller 98 in the pull-off unit P is preferably of substantially thediameter of fruit to be stripped whereby a proper amount 'of strip willbe delivered to the unit D prior to each striping operation thereof.However, the flat surface 99 on the roller 90 provides for free movementof the strip between the rollers 98 and I02 in the event that a largerfruit requiring more strip than is normally pulled off by the pull-offunit P is being stripped.

The modified construction of Figs. 9 to 14 inclusive'is particularlyadapted for taping the top and opposite ends of quadrangular packagessuch as boxes and comprises a frame I40 characterized by a pair ofspaced parallel vertical plates I4I to whose lower ends a second pair ofsimilar spaced parallel plates I42 are secured as by bolts I43.

The frame is supported for vertical adjustment for operative associationwith various sizes of boxes by means of a pair of brackets I44 fixed tothe outer faces of the respective plates I4I, each plate being providedwith a pair of rods I45 vertically adjustablexinframe members I146 whichproject from the base of a conveyor for feeding the boxes past the tapeapplying mechanism. The frame is retained in any adjusted position bythumb screws I46.

roll R and-issuitably secured in position by set screws I5I and may befilled with water through a nozzle I50. I

A strip of felt or like absorbent material I52 is supported in the boxI50 with the major portion thereof immersed in the liquid L and with thefree end thereof extending through the box adjacent the top andprotruding a short distance therefrom as shown in Fig. 9. Means areprovided for adjustably compressing the felt strip I52 adjacent itsprotruding end for controlling the amount of the liquid delivered to thetape. This means comprises a plate I53 hingedly connected to the box I50at I54 and having an angular disposed flange I55 at its free end forbear- 1 ing contact with the strip I52. The aforementioned bearingcontact is attained by means of a set screw I56 threaded into a suitablelug within the box and having a spring I51 disposed between the head ofthe screw I56 and the plate I53.

A guide roller I58 is rotatably journalled between the plates I4I in aposition to accurately hold the tape in engagement with the projectingend of the moistening' strip I52. As indicated in Fig. 9 the tape Textends vertically from the roller I 58 to the tape applying rollerslater described and means for pulling tape from the roll R is providedintermediate the moistening box I50 and the tape applying rollers. Thetape pulling means comprises a roller I59 carried bywa shaft I60rotatably journalled between the plates I42, the roller I59 having aflat in its periphery at I6I for allowing tape in excess of that pulledby the roller to be drawn from the roll B.

An idler roller I62 is provided for holding the tape in engagement withthe roller I59 during feeding rotation thereof. The former is rotatablyjournalled on a shaft I63 which is supported by side bars I64 pivotallyconnected intermediate their ends on a shaft I65 and being connected.

at their opposite ends by a rod I66 to' which is secured a spring I61for yieldably holding the roller I62 in cooperative relation withrespect-to roller I59. A stop I620. may be provided to limit themovement of the roller I62 toward roller I59 under the action of thespring I61.

The feed roller I 59 is intermittently rotated by ratchet mechanism inthe following manner.

' A shaft I68 is rotatably journalled betweenthe plates I42, said shafthaving a ratchet wheel I69 fixed to one end thereof adapted to beoperated by a pawl I10 in a manner later described. A

relatively large gear MI is fastened to the opposite end of shaft I68which gear is in driving engagement with a relatively smaller gear I12fixed to roller shaft I60. As will be noted, the ratchet wheel I69 isprovided with four equally spaced teeth I13 and the gear I1I has acircumference four times that of the gear I12 whereby the feed rollerI59 will make onecomplete rotation upon the'advance of the ratchet.wheel I89 a'distance' of one-.tooth bythe pawl I19... .The shaft I89 andpawl I19 are provided with cooperating stop pins I14 and I15respectively. As shown .the pawl I19 is pivotally. connected at I19 to.the swinging frame. I11 of a box engaging and tape applying rol1erI18,the frame I11 being pivotally connected to the plates I42 at I19. A-spring I89 has one endthereof connected to the pawl I19 and the:

opposite end thereof fastenedzto the frame for operatively advancing thepawl and holding roller I18 in normal position. A guide roller I8I issupported from the frame in a. position to guide the depending tape intocontactzwith the forward end of anapproaching box B.

Tape cutting mechanism is disposed between the pull-off roller I59 andthe guideroller IN and comprises a fixed knife I82 and a movable knifeI83 both arranged in a recess Y I84 in theframe, said knives beingnormallyspaced' apart -a distance sunicient to permit the tape'to befreely drawn therebetween. The knives are yieldably maintained in closeshearing-relation by aspring I85 disposed between the head I86 of thepivot pin for the movable knife and the fixed knife. The cuttingmechanism is adapted for operation by the-successive advancing boxes andis indicated in Figs. 11 and 12 a bell crank leverlB'I. pivotallyconnected at I88 to afixed bracket I89,

1 has one end thereof pivotally connected to the movable knife I83 atI99 and the opposite end thereof pivotally fastenedat I9! to one end ofa link I92. The oppo'siteen'd of link I92 is pivotally connected at I93to an operating arm I94 which in'turii is-pivotally connected at itsupper end at I95 to asupport I96. Interconnecting the arm I94'andsupport I96 is spring I91 which incooperation with a weight I98securedto the arm adjacent its lower endtend to hold the arm in normalposition and also'function to cause the cutting action. A roller I99 isrotatably journalled "on the lowerend of the arm; I94for engagement withthe successiveboxes for effecting the tape cutting operation in a mannerhereinafter described. I a v A frame-like lever comprising spacedparallel arms 299 is pivotally connected to a bracket 29I' as at 292.The lever 299 is heldin' normal position against a stop 293, Fig. 9, bya relatively heavy spring 294 which'is secured at one'end thereof toextensions 29I' of the bracket 29I and at its-opposite end to the member299. 'A roller 295 is rotatably journalled between the lower ends ofarms 299 and a frame 296 having opposed parallel angulararms291'ispivotally connected to the shaft-of roller 295'and-rotatablysupports a roller 298 between the fr'ee ends of the arms 291. The latterare of substantially right angular'form, and secured to a shaft 299 atthe 'apices of such arms is oneend of a cable--2I9 which extends about'apulley 2II rotatably journalled between the upper ends of arms 299 andwhich has its opposite end secured between the frame plates I42 asdesignated by the numeral 2I2. A spring 2I3 which is relatively lighterthan spring 294 has one end thereof fixed to a shaft 299 and itsopposite end secured to extensions of the the roller I18 normally liesmaterially below such plane at a distance substantially equal to thatattained by the roller 298 in a final taping operationas will beobserved in Fig. 13.

In the operation of the modified device, boxes or likequadrangularpackages are successively advanced to the device by any suitable form ofconveyor and a length of tape T always hangs vertically before the guideroller. I8I for engagement by the advancing end of each box, the tapeextending downward a desired distance on the ends of the.boxes. As a boxB moves forward its front wall engages the cutter roller I99 therebyswinging the arm I94- about its pivot I95 and with the roller I99 ridingon the top of the box. This movement of arm I94 actuates lever I81through link I92 and moves the knife I83 a substantial distance awayfrom the fixed knife I82. Nocutting action will take place, however, aslong as roller I 99 is riding on top of the box.

The forward end of the moving box contacts the tape T protruding belowthe guide roller I8I and'immediately thereafter this end will engage thetape presser roller I18 while the cutter roller I99 is'still riding ontop of the box. The roller I18 upon engaging the end of the box willpress the end of the tape thereto andthe roller will ride up the end ofthe box as the box progresses forwardly with tape now being drawndirectly fromthe roll R. as permitted by the fiat side I6I of the pulloff roller I59. The roller I18 after moving upwardlyalong the forwardend of the box-in pressing the tape thereto against the action of springI89 will ride along the top of the box to press the tape in position.Upon upward movement of the roller I18 the pawl I19 will also bemovedupward into position for later advancing the ratchet Wheel I69. Whilethe tape pressing roller I18 is still riding on top of the box thecutter roller I99 will pass off the top whereupon the joint action ofspring I91 and weight I98 will causethe arm I94 to swing substantiallybeyond its normal position resulting in a quick and accurate shearingaction between the knives I82 and I88 to sever the tape. The spring I91and weight I98 will then cause the arm I94 to assume its normal verticalposition. This tape cutting action takes place at the time that thelength of tapersevered will suffice for completing the taping of thebox.

' Justprior to the time the roller I18 passes off the top of the box,the front end thereof will engage the roller 295 andswing the frame 299to the position shown in full lines in'Fig. 13 against the action ofspring 294 resulting in substantial slack in the cable 2I9 as indicatedin dot and dash lines, and spring 2I3 will move frame 296 to bringroller 298 into engagement with the top of the box, which movementhowever, will not take up all the slack in the cable. Upon furtherforward' movement of the box the roller I18 will ride off the topthereof and be returned to normal position by the spring I89 which willalso urge the pawl I19 downward and impart a quarter rotation to theratchet wheel I69 and a complete rotation to the pull-off roller I59which will advance a length of tape in vertical protruding relation tothe next advancing box. On continued advance of the box, roller 298 willride off the top thereof and by action of spring 2 I3 will ride down theend thereof as permitted by the slack tape to press the final length oftape in position. Further advance of the box will result in roller 295riding off the top thereof whereupon spring 294 will overcome the weakerspring 2I3 and return the frame 200 to its normal position as indicatedin Fig. 9.

While the invention has been described in some detail, it will beunderstood that various changes and modifications will occur to thoseskilled in the art and it is contemplated to cover all such and to belimited in this respect onlyas may be necessary by the scope of theclaims hereto appended.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent iszl 1. In a machinefor applying sealing tape to an advancing wrapped article, means forpositioning a free end of the sealing tape in advance of the article,means for pressing said free end to an advancing portion of the articleand applying same thereto, and means operable by said pressing andapplying means to positively draw off tape from a supply thereof for asucceeding tape-applying operation.

2. In a machine for applying sealing tape to an advancing wrappedarticle, means for positioning a free end of the sealing tape in advanceof the article, means for pressing said free end to an advancing portionof the article and applying same thereto, and means operable by saidpressing and applying means to positively draw off tape from a supplythereof for a succeeding tape-applying operation, said last mentionedmeans comprising a roller, and pawl and ratchet mechanism forintermittently rotating same.

3. In a machine for applying sealing tape to an advancing wrappedarticle, means for applying a free end of said tape to an advancingarticle, means operable by the advancing article for cutting the tape,and means thereafter operable by the advancing article for drawing alength of tape from a supply thereof.

4. In a machine for applying sealing tape to an advancing wrappedarticle, a swingably mounted unit, said unit including'tape-positioningand applying means, tape-severing means, and tape-advancing means, allof said means being operable by the swinging movement of said unit.

5. In a machine for applying sealing tape to an advancing wrappedarticle, a swingably mounted unit, said unit including tape-positioningand applying means, and means operable by said tape-positioning andapplying means for advancing a length of tape for a succeedingtapeapplying operation.

6. In a machine for applying sealing tape to an advancing wrappedarticle, a swingably mounted unit, said unit including tape-positioningand applying means, and means operable upon swinging movement of saidunit for severing the tape.

7. In a machine for applying sealing tape to an advancing wrappedarticle, a swingably mounted unit, said unit including tape-positioningand applying means, means operable by said tape-positioning and applyingmeans for advanc-= ing a length of tape for succeeding tape-applyingoperation, and means operable upon swinging movement of .said unit forsevering the tape.

8. A machine for applying sealing tape to advancing wrapped articlescomprising a tape supply means, a swingably mounted tape feeding andapplying unit, and a tape advancing means intermediate the swingablymounted unit and the tape supply means.

9. The structure of claim 8, and said swingably mounted unit includingtape severing means.

1.0. A machine of thecharacter described, comprising a swingably mountedunit, said unit including tape-feeding and applying means, tape severingmeans and tape advancing means, and means for supplying tape in slackcondition to said swingahly mounted unit. I

11. A machine 'for applying sealing tape to advancing wrapped articles,a swingably mounted unit adapted to be engaged by said articles to swingsame, said unit including tape feeding and applying means, tapeseveringmeans and tape advancing means, and means subsequently engageable by theadvancing article for supplying tape in slack condition to saidswingably mounted unit.

12. In a machine for applying sealing tape to advancing wrappedarticles, a swingably mounted unit having a roller engageable with anadvancing article, said roller having a pawl movable thereby, aratchet-carrying feed roller operable by said pawl, tape severing meanscarried by said unit, the latter being adapted to be swung forwardly byan advancing article, said tape severing means being operable duringsaid forward swinging movement, and said feed roller being operable uponrearward swinging movement of said unit upon passing of said advancingarticle,

13. In a machine for applying sealing tape to advancing wrappedarticles, a swingably mounted roller adapted to engage and apply a freeend of the tape to an advancing article, a pawl pivotally connected tosaid roller, a ratchet-carrying feed roller operable by said pawl, a-tape severing mechanism comprising fixed and movable blades, a secondswingably mounted roller engageable by said advancing article, and meansoperable by said second roller for actuating said movable blade.

14. A machine for applying sealing tape to advancing wrapped articles, atape supply, means for applying adhesive to the edges of one surface ofthe tape, a swingably mounted unit, said unit including tape-positioningand applying means, tape-severing means and tape-advancing means, andmeans for feeding the adhesively-coated tape to saidv unit from saidsupply upon advancing movement of said articles.

OBER G. STRAUSS.

